Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming.

Take this medicine with or after a meal or a snack.

To help prevent trouble in sleeping, take the last dose of the short-acting tablets before 6 p.m., unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you think this medicine is not working properly after you have taken it for several weeks, do not increase the dose . Instead, check with your doctor.

If you are taking the long-acting form of this medicine:

• These tablets or capsules are to be swallowed whole. Do not break, open, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• If you are taking Concerta brand of methylphenidate extended-release tablets, you may sometimes notice what looks like a tablet in your stool. This is just the empty shell that is left after the medicine has been absorbed into your body.

Dosing—The dose of methylphenidate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of methylphenidate. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using methylphenidate .

• For attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder:
  • For short-acting oral dosage form (tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers—5 to 20 milligrams (mg) two or three times a day, taken with or after meals.
    • Children 6 years of age and older—To start, 5 mg two times a day, taken with or after breakfast and lunch. If needed, your doctor may increase the dose once a week by 5 to 10 mg a day until symptoms improve or a maximum dose is reached.
    • Children up to 6 years of age—The dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children—The dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
    • Adults, teenagers, and children over 6 years of age—The recommended starting dose is 20 mg a day, taken in the morning before breakfast. Your doctor may increase the dose once a week as needed up to 60 mg a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age—The dose must be determined by the doctor.
• For narcolepsy:
  • For short-acting oral dosage form (tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers—5 to 20 mg two or three times a day, taken with or after meals.
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers—The dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. Then take any remaining doses for that day at regularly spaced intervals. Do not double doses.

Storage—To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.